Push switch

Abstract

An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the chances of a push switch operating with instability. A push switch (1) includes a case (7), a fixed contact member (5), a moving contact member (4), and a push member (3). The push member (3) includes a pusher (31), a supporting portion (32), and a coupling portion (33). The pusher (31) pushes, when subjected to a push operation, a moving contact member (4) toward a fixed contact member (5). The coupling portion (33) is disposed between the pusher (31) and the supporting portion (32) and has a shape of a cylinder surrounding the pusher (31). The coupling portion (33) is elastically deformed when the pusher (31) is subjected to the push operation. The coupling portion (33) has a thin portion (331) and an adjacent portion (332, 333) adjacent to the thin portion (331). The thickness of the thin portion (331) is less than the thickness of the adjacent portion (332, 333).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a push switch. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a push switch including a pusher for pushing a moving contact member.Background Art

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a push switch including a case, a moving member, a pusher, and a supporting portion. The case has a fixed contact portion. The moving member has a moving contact portion. The pusher pushes the moving member upon application of external force. The supporting portion is connected to the pusher to support the pusher with respect to the case.

[0003] The push switch of Patent Literature 1 may operate with instability when the pusher is pushed in a wrong direction (e.g., obliquely), for example. In that case, the supporting portion may be flexed at an abnormal point, thus possibly making the user feel uncomfortable when operating the push switch.Citation List Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: WO 2019 / 225635 A1Summary of Invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the chances of a push switch operating with instability.

[0006] A push switch according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a case, a fixed contact member, a moving contact member, and a push member. The case has a recess, of which the upside is open. The fixed contact member has a fixed contact portion provided at a bottom surface of the recess. The moving contact member has a moving contact portion facing the fixed contact portion. The moving contact member is disposed over the fixed contact member. The push member includes a pusher, a supporting portion, and a coupling portion. The pusher is disposed over the moving contact member. The pusher pushes, when subjected to a push operation, the moving contact member toward the fixed contact member. The supporting portion is supported by the case. The coupling portion is disposed between the pusher and the supporting portion to couple the pusher and the supporting portion to each other. The coupling portion has a shape of a cylinder surrounding the pusher. The coupling portion is elastically deformed when the pusher is subjected to the push operation. The coupling portion has a thin portion and an adjacent portion adjacent to the thin portion. The thin portion is arranged to surround the pusher when the push switch is viewed from over and / or under the push switch. The thickness of the thin portion is less than the thickness of the adjacent portion.Brief Description of Drawings

[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a push switch according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the push switch; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the push switch; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the push switch; FIG. 5 is a plan view of a pusher of the push switch; FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the pusher of the push switch; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the push switch is subjected to a push operation; and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the push switch is subjected to the push operation. Description of Embodiments

[0008] A push switch according to an exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the exemplary embodiment to be described below is only an exemplary one of various embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting. Rather, the exemplary embodiment may be readily modified in various manners depending on a design choice or any other factor without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings to be referred to in the following description of embodiments are all schematic representations. Thus, the ratio of the dimensions (including thicknesses) of respective constituent elements illustrated on the drawings does not always reflect their actual dimensional ratio.(Embodiment)(Overview)

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, a push switch 1 according to this embodiment includes a case 7, a fixed contact member 5, a moving contact member 4, and a push member 3. The case 7 has a recess 710, of which the upside is open. The fixed contact member 5 has a fixed contact portion 51 provided at a bottom surface of the recess 710. The moving contact member 4 has a moving contact portion 411 facing the fixed contact portion 51. The moving contact member 4 is disposed over the fixed contact member 5. The push member 3 includes a pusher 31, a supporting portion 32, and a coupling portion 33. The pusher 31 is disposed over the moving contact member 4. The pusher 31 pushes, when subjected to a push operation, the moving contact member 4 toward the fixed contact member 5. The supporting portion 32 is supported by the case 7. The coupling portion 33 is disposed between the pusher 31 and the supporting portion 32 to couple the pusher 31 and the supporting portion 32 to each other. The coupling portion 33 has the shape of a cylinder surrounding the pusher 31. The coupling portion 33 is elastically deformed when the pusher 31 is subjected to the push operation. The coupling portion 33 has a thin portion 331 and an adjacent portion 332, 333 adjacent to the thin portion 331. The thin portion 331 is arranged to surround the pusher 31 when the push switch 1 is viewed from over and / or under the push switch 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the thickness T1 of the thin portion 331 is less than the thickness T2, T3 of the adjacent portion 332, 333.

[0010] According to this embodiment, the thickness T1 of the thin portion 331 is less than the thickness T2, T3 of the adjacent portion 332, 333. Thus, when the pusher 31 is subjected to a push operation, the coupling portion 33 is likely to be flexed at the thin portion 331. This makes it easier for the coupling portion 33 to be flexed at the thin portion 331 not only when the pusher 31 is pushed straight downward but also when the pusher 31 is pushed obliquely downward. As can be seen, in this push switch 1, the flexed part of the coupling portion 33 tends to be limited to the thin portion 331, thus reducing the chances of the push switch 1 operating with instability. For example, this may reduce the chances of a relationship between the magnitude of the force applied through the push operation and the stroke length collapsing. As used herein, the "stroke length" of the pusher 31 refers to the magnitude of movement of the pusher 31 from a point in time before the push switch 1 is subjected to the push operation through a point in time when the moving contact portion 411 comes into contact with the fixed contact portion 51 after the push switch 1 has been subjected to the push operation.

[0011] Note that the terms "up" and "down" as used herein just represent relative directions with respect to the push switch 1 and should not be construed as limiting the directions in which the push switch 1 is supposed to be used. Alternatively, the push switch 1 may also be used to have such an orientation that makes "up" as used herein "down," "forward," "backward," "left," or "right."

[0012] Furthermore, as used herein, the direction in which a first terminal 54 and a second terminal 64 (to be described later) are arranged side by side is defined to be a "rightward / leftward direction" and a direction perpendicular to both the upward / downward direction and the rightward / leftward direction (i.e., a direction aligned with a normal to the paper sheet on which FIG. 1 is drawn) is defined to be a forward / backward direction. Note that these definitions should not be construed as limiting the directions in which the push switch 1 is supposed to be used, either.(Details)(1) Overall configuration

[0013] Next, a push switch 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. The push switch 1 may be used in, for example, an operating member for a mobile telecommunications device, onboard equipment for vehicles, consumer electronic appliances, and various other types of devices. The push switch 1 may be built in the housing of any of these devices so as to be mounted on a printed board, for example. In that case, an operating button 10 (refer to FIG. 1) serving as an intermediate member, for example, is disposed at a position of the housing where the operating button 10 faces the push switch 1. This allows the pusher 31 to be operated indirectly via the operating button 10 by having the operator push the operating button 10. In the following description, the expression "the pusher 31 is subjected to a push operation" refers to both a situation where the pusher 31 is pushed via the operating button 10 and a situation where the pusher 31 is pushed directly.

[0014] In the following description, the push switch 1 in a non-operated state (i.e., a state where the pusher 31 is not subjected to the push operation) will be described unless otherwise stated.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the push switch 1 includes a cover 2, the push member 3, the moving contact member 4, the fixed contact member 5, a conductive member 6, and the case 7. In top view, the case 7 has a rectangular shape. The cross section shown in FIG. 1 is taken along a plane aligned with a diagonal of the case 7 in top view. As used herein, the "rectangular" shape refers to a parallelogram having four right angles such as a rectangle and a square. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the push switch 1 shown in FIG. 1.(2) Cover

[0016] The cover 2 may be made of a metallic material, for example. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover 2 covers the case 7.

[0017] The cover 2 includes a cover body 21, a plurality of (e.g., two in the example illustrated in FIG. 4) first protruding pieces 22, and a plurality of (e.g., two in the example illustrated in FIG. 4) second protruding pieces 23. The cover body 21 has the shape of a rectangular plate. The thickness of the cover body 21 is aligned with the upward / downward direction.

[0018] The cover body 21 has a through hole 210. The through hole 210 is provided through a central portion of the cover body 21. The through hole 210 has a circular shape when viewed in plan. An upper end portion of the pusher 31 protrudes upward from the cover body 21 through the through hole 210.

[0019] The first protruding pieces 22 respectively protrude downward from the front and rear ends of the cover body 21. The case 7 is held between the two first protruding pieces 22. This allows the forward and backward movements of the cover 2 with respect to the case 7 to be regulated.

[0020] Each first protruding piece 22 has a plurality of (e.g., two in the example illustrated in FIG. 4) hooks 221. These two hooks 221 are hooked on the case 7, thus allowing the cover 2 to be held by the case 7.

[0021] The second protruding pieces 23 respectively protrude downward from the right and left ends of the cover body 21. The case 7 is held between the two second protruding pieces 23. This allows the rightward and leftward movements of the cover 2 with respect to the case 7 to be regulated.(3) Push member

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the push member 3 includes the pusher 31, the supporting portion 32, the coupling portion 33, and an extended portion 34.

[0023] The push member 3 has elasticity. In addition, the push member 3 also has electrical insulation properties. The push member 3 is made of an elastomer as its material. For example, the push member 3 may be made of synthetic rubber. In this embodiment, the pusher 31, supporting portion 32, coupling portion 33, and extended portion 34 of the push member 3 are all formed integrally out of synthetic rubber. As the synthetic rubber, silicone rubber may be used, for example. The push member 3 may be manufactured by, for example, injection molding or compression molding, whichever is appropriate.

[0024] The pusher 31 includes a first part 311 and a second part 312. The first part 311 is a part including an upper surface 31U of the pusher 31. The first part 311 is a part to be subj ected to a push operation. The second part 312 is a part including a lower surface 31L of the pusher 31. The second part 312 is a part designed to push the moving contact member 4. The second part 312 protrudes downward from the first part 311.

[0025] The upper surface 31U of the pusher 31 has a circular shape. The first part 311 has the shape of a truncated cone. The diameter of the first part 311 decreases toward the top of the first part 311.

[0026] The lower surface 31L of the pusher 31 has a circular shape. The second part 312 has the shape of a truncated cone. The diameter of the second part 312 increases toward the top of the second part 312.

[0027] The diameter of the second part 312 at the upper end thereof is shorter than the diameter of the first part 311 at the lower end thereof. That is to say, the maximum diameter of the second part 312 is shorter than the maximum diameter of the first part 311. In addition, the diameter of the lower surface 31L of the pusher 31 is shorter than the diameter of the upper surface 31U thereof.

[0028] The supporting portion 32 has the shape of a rectangular plate. The thickness of the supporting portion 32 is aligned with the upward / downward direction. The supporting portion 32 has an upper surface 32U and a lower surface 32L.

[0029] The supporting portion 32 is mounted on the case 7. The supporting portion 32 is supported to be sandwiched between the case 7 and the cover 2. That is to say, the upper surface 32U of the supporting portion 32 is in contact with the cover 2, and the lower surface 32L thereof is in contact with the case 7.

[0030] Alternatively, the supporting portion 32 may be provided between the case 7 and the cover 2 with the upper surface 32U of the supporting portion 32 out of contact with the cover 2. In that case, when the pusher 31 is subjected to the push operation, the force applied through the push operation may cause the upper surface 32U of the supporting portion 32 to move upward and come into contact with the cover 2. This prevents the supporting portion 32 from being dragged toward the pusher 31, and also prevents the position of the supporting portion 32 from changing significantly, when the pusher 31 is subjected to the push operation.

[0031] The supporting portion 32 has an opening 320. The opening 320 is provided for a central part of the supporting portion 32. The coupling portion 33 is connected to an inner edge of the opening 320 of the supporting portion 32. When viewed in plan, the coupling portion 33 is disposed inside of the inner edge of the opening 320.

[0032] The coupling portion 33 couples the pusher 31 and the supporting portion 32 to each other. The coupling portion 33 has a cylindrical shape. Inside the coupling portion 33, disposed is the second part 312 of the pusher 31.

[0033] Note that even if the coupling portion 33 has a cylindrical shape, the coupling portion 33 is not necessarily continuous along the entire circumference thereof but may also have a cutout, for example, somewhere along the circumference thereof.

[0034] In appearance, the coupling portion 33 has the shape of a truncated cone. The assembly consisting of the coupling portion 33 and the first part 311 of the pusher 31 also has the shape of a truncated cone in appearance. The diameter of this assembly decreases toward the top of the assembly.

[0035] The extended portion 34 protrudes downward from the lower end portion of the coupling portion 33. The extended portion 34 has the shape of a circular ring. When the pusher 31 is subjected to the push operation, the extended portion 34 is elastically deformed along with the coupling portion 33, thus bringing the extended portion 34 into contact with a side surface of the recess 710 of the case 7 (refer to FIG. 7).

[0036] The coupling portion 33 includes a thin portion 331 and two adjacent portions 332, 333. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the thin portion 331 is shaded by dots.

[0037] The adjacent portion 332 is provided upward of the thin portion 331. The adjacent portion 333 is provided downward of the thin portion 331. Each of the thin portion 331 and the adjacent portions 332, 333 has the shape of a circular cylinder. The thin portion 331 is seamlessly connected to the adjacent portions 332, 333. Inside the thin portion 331, disposed is the second part 312 of the pusher 31.

[0038] The thin portion 331 is provided around the middle of the coupling portion 33 in the upward / downward direction. The thin portion 331 is disposed beside the upper surface 32U (refer to FIG. 1) of the supporting portion 32 in a direction perpendicular to the upward / downward direction.

[0039] The coupling portion 33 is connected to the pusher 31 at a part thereof located upward of the thin portion 331. In addition, the coupling portion 33 is connected to the supporting portion 32 at another part thereof located downward of the thin portion 331.

[0040] The thin portion 331 is a part with a local minimum thickness. That is to say, as shown in FIG. 2, the thickness T1 of the thin portion 331 is less than the thickness T2 of the adjacent portion 332 and the thickness T3 of the adjacent portion 333. As used herein, the "thickness T1" of the thin portion 331 may refer to an average thickness of the thin portion 331, for example. Likewise, the "thickness T2" of the adjacent portion 332 may refer to an average thickness of the adjacent portion 332, for example. In the same way, the "thickness T3" of the adjacent portion 333 may refer to an average thickness of the adjacent portion 333, for example. Note that in FIG. 2, the arrows indicating the thicknesses T1-T3 are located around the respective middles of the thin portion 331 and the adjacent portions 332, 333 for the sake of convenience of illustration.

[0041] The thickness of the adjacent portion 332 generally decreases toward the lower end of the adjacent portion 332. Nevertheless, if the surface of the coupling portion 33 is traced from the adjacent portion 332 through the thin portion 331, it can be seen that the rate of decrease in thickness increases at the boundary between the adjacent portion 332 and the thin portion 331 (i.e., the thickness starts decreasing more steeply at the boundary). That is to say, as shown in FIG. 2, on the cross section of the coupling portion 33, a line segment drawn along the surface of the adjacent portion 332 and a line segment drawn along the surface of part, adjacent to the adjacent portion 332, of the thin portion 331 form a predetermined angle θ1 between themselves. Alternatively, the respective parts of the adjacent portion 332 may have a substantially uniform thickness.

[0042] In this embodiment, respective parts of the adjacent portion 333 have a substantially uniform thickness. Alternatively, the thickness of the adjacent portion 333, as well as the thickness of the adjacent portion 332, may also vary from one part thereof to another. The thickness of the adjacent portion 333 may decrease toward the upper end of the adjacent portion 333. In addition, if the surface of the coupling portion 33 is traced from the adjacent portion 333 through the thin portion 331, the rate of decrease in thickness may increase at the boundary between the adjacent portion 333 and the thin portion 331 (i.e., the thickness may start decreasing more steeply at the boundary).

[0043] The coupling portion 33 has an outside depression 3311 on the outer surface of the thin portion 331. The coupling portion 33 is depressed at the outside depression 3311 with respect to the adjacent portions 332, 333.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the outside depression 3311 is provided along the entire circumference of the coupling portion 33. That is to say, in top view, the region provided with the outside depression 3311 has the shape of a ring (more specifically, the shape of a circular ring).

[0045] The coupling portion 33 has an inside depression 3312 on the inner surface of the thin portion 331. The coupling portion 33 is depressed at the inside depression 3312 with respect to the adjacent portions 332, 333. The inside depression 3312 is provided for part of the coupling portion 33 to be located beside the outside depression 3311 in a direction aligned with the thickness of the coupling portion 33. That is to say, if one of the respective bottom surfaces of the inside depression 3312 and the outside depression 3311 is located on the front side, then the other bottom surface is located on the back side.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the inside depression 3312 is provided along the entire circumference of the coupling portion 33. That is to say, in bottom view, the region provided with the inside depression 3312 has the shape of a ring (more specifically, the shape of a circular ring).

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when viewed from over and / or under (e.g., from over and under, in this embodiment) the push switch 1, the shape of the region provided with the thin portion 331 conforms with the shape of the outer edge of the pusher 31. In FIG. 5, the region provided with the thin portion 331 (i.e., the region provided with the outside depression 3311) is shaded by dots and the shape of the region provided with the thin portion 331 conforms with the shape of the outer edge of the first part 311 of the pusher 31. More specifically, the shape of the region provided with the thin portion 331 is concentric with the shape of the outer edge of the first part 311. In FIG. 6, the region provided with the thin portion 331 (i.e., the region provided with the inside depression 3312) is shaded by dots and the shape of the region provided with the thin portion 331 conforms with the shape of the outer edge of the second part 312 of the pusher 31. More specifically, the shape of the region provided with the thin portion 331 is concentric with the shape of the outer edge of the second part 312.

[0048] The depth of the outside depression 3311 is preferably equal to or greater than 5% and equal to or less than 20% of the thickness T2 of the adjacent portion 332. In addition, the depth of the outside depression 3311 is also preferably equal to or greater than 5% and equal to or less than 20% of the thickness T3 of the adjacent portion 333. Likewise, the depth of the inside depression 3312 is preferably equal to or greater than 5% and equal to or less than 20% of the thickness T2 of the adjacent portion 332. In addition, the depth of the inside depression 3312 is also preferably equal to or greater than 5% and equal to or less than 20% of the thickness T3 of the adjacent portion 333. In this embodiment, the "thickness T2" of the adjacent portion 332 herein refers to an average thickness of the adjacent portion 332, for example. In the same way, the "thickness T3" of the adjacent portion 333 herein refers to an average thickness of the adjacent portion 333, for example.

[0049] Also, as an example, when compared with the thickness T2, the depth of the outside depression 3311 is herein defined to be equal to the distance D1 as measured along the thickness of the coupling portion 33 between a base point B2 of the thickness T2 on the outer surface of the coupling portion 33 and a point B1 where the outside depression 3311 is depressed most significantly.

[0050] Furthermore, as an example, when compared with the thickness T3, the depth of the outside depression 3311 is herein defined to be equal to the distance D2 as measured along the thickness of the coupling portion 33 between a base point B3 of the thickness T3 on the outer surface of the coupling portion 33 and the point B1 where the outside depression 3311 is depressed most significantly.

[0051] Also, as an example, when compared with the thickness T2, the depth of the inside depression 3312 is herein defined to be equal to the distance D3 as measured along the thickness of the coupling portion 33 between a base point B5 of the thickness T2 on the inner surface of the coupling portion 33 and a point B4 where the inside depression 3312 is depressed most significantly.

[0052] Furthermore, as an example, when compared with the thickness T3, the depth of the inside depression 3312 is herein defined to be equal to the distance D4 as measured along the thickness of the coupling portion 33 between a base point B6 of the thickness T3 on the inner surface of the coupling portion 33 and the point B4 where the inside depression 3312 is depressed most significantly.(4) Moving contact member

[0053] The moving contact member 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 has electrical conductivity. The moving contact member 4 may be made of a metallic material, for example. In this embodiment, the moving contact member 4 is configured as a plate member with elasticity. For example, the moving contact member 4 may be configured as a metal plate of stainless steel (SUS). In this embodiment, the moving contact member 4 may be configured as a single leaf spring. Alternatively, the moving contact member 4 may also be made up of a plurality of leaf springs which are stacked one on top of another.

[0054] The moving contact member 4 is a so-called "metal dome." That is to say, the moving contact member 4 is formed in the shape of a dome, of which a central part is curved to be convex up. Preferably, at least a part of the lower surface of the moving contact member 4 is coated with a conductive film having electrical conductivity which is formed by gold (Au) or silver (Ag) plating, for example.

[0055] The moving contact member 4 includes a pressure receiving portion 41, a flexible portion 42, an outer peripheral portion 43, and a plurality of (e.g., four in the example illustrated in FIG. 4) supporting pieces 44.

[0056] The pressure receiving portion 41 is provided as a central part of the moving contact member 4. The pressure receiving portion 41 is a part, to which force is applied from the lower surface 31L of the pusher 31. That is to say, when the pusher 31 is subjected to the push operation, the pusher 31 pushes the pressure receiving portion 41 downward, thereby elastically deforming the moving contact member 4 to cause the pressure receiving portion 41 to move downward.

[0057] The lower surface of the pressure receiving portion 41 serves as the moving contact portion 411. That is to say, the pressure receiving portion 41 includes the moving contact portion 411. Subjecting the pusher 31 to the push operation brings the moving contact portion 411 into contact with the fixed contact portion 51.

[0058] The flexible portion 42 is provided to surround the pressure receiving portion 41. In top view, the region defined by the flexible portion 42 is an annular region. Pushing the pressure receiving portion 41 downward causes the flexible portion 42 to be flexed and thereby brings the moving contact portion 411 into contact with the fixed contact portion 51.

[0059] The outer peripheral portion 43 is provided to surround the flexible portion 42. The outer peripheral portion 43 has an annular shape.

[0060] The plurality of supporting pieces 44 protrude outward from the outer peripheral portion 43. The plurality of supporting pieces 44 are put on the conductive member 6 embedded in the recess 710 of the case 7, thereby electrically connecting the moving contact member 4 to the conductive member 6.

[0061] Applying operating force, of which the magnitude is equal to or greater than predetermined magnitude, to the pressure receiving portion 41 causes the flexible portion 42 to be deformed (flexed) to make the moving contact member 4 flexed downward. For example, the moving contact member 4 is deformed into the shape of a dome, of which a central part is convex down as shown in FIG. 7. Deforming the flexible portion 42 as shown in FIG. 7 causes a decrease in the load applied from the moving contact member 4 to the pusher 31. That is to say, the moving contact member 4 is configured to perform an inversion operation according to the magnitude of the operating force applied to the pusher 31. Making the moving contact member 4 flexed downward brings the moving contact portion 411 on the lower surface of the pressure receiving portion 41 into contact with the fixed contact portion 51, thereby electrically connecting the moving contact portion 411 to the fixed contact portion 51.

[0062] That is to say, the moving contact portion 411 and the fixed contact portion 51 together form a contact portion C1. The contact portion C1 is turned from OFF to ON by pushing the pressure receiving portion 41 toward the fixed contact portion 51 (i.e., downward) to make the moving contact member 4 deformed. Specifically, in a state where the pusher 31 is not subjected to the push operation (i.e., in the state shown in FIG. 1), the pressure receiving portion 41 is out of contact with the fixed contact portion 51, and therefore, the contact portion C1 is in OFF state. On the other hand, subjecting the pusher 31 to the push operation brings the moving contact portion 411 into contact with the fixed contact portion 51 (refer to FIG. 7), thus turning the contact portion C1 ON. Canceling the push operation allows the moving contact member 4 to make elastic recovery, thus turning the contact portion C1 OFF.(5) Fixed contact member

[0063] The fixed contact member 5 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 has electrical conductivity. The fixed contact member 5 is configured as a metal plate. More specifically, the fixed contact member 5 is configured as a single metal plate. The fixed contact member 5 is embedded in the bottom surface of the recess 710 of the case 7. The fixed contact member 5 and the case 7 are integrated together by insert molding. That is to say, the case 7 has been insert-molded with the fixed contact member 5 used as an inserted member.

[0064] The fixed contact member 5 includes the fixed contact portion 51, a base portion 52, a connecting portion 53, and the first terminal 54.

[0065] The base portion 52 is embedded in the bottom surface of the recess 710 of the case 7. The fixed contact portion 51 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the base portion 52. The moving contact portion 411 is disposed over the fixed contact portion 51. That is to say, the fixed contact portion 51 faces the moving contact portion 411.

[0066] The connecting portion 53 is provided between the base portion 52 and the first terminal 54 to connect the base portion 52 to the first terminal 54. The connecting portion 53 is also embedded in the bottom surface of the recess 710 of the case 7. The first terminal 54 protrudes from a side surface of the case 7.(6) Conductive member

[0067] The conductive member 6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 has electrical conductivity. The conductive member 6 is configured as a metal plate. More specifically, the conductive member 6 is configured as a single metal plate. The conductive member 6 is embedded in the bottom surface of the recess 710 of the case 7. The conductive member 6 and the case 7 are integrated together by insert molding. That is to say, the case 7 has been insert-molded with the conductive member 6 used as an inserted member.

[0068] The conductive member 6 includes a plurality of (e.g., four in the example illustrated in FIG. 4) exposed portions 61, a plurality of (e.g., two in the example illustrated in FIG. 4) first connecting portions 62, a second connecting portion 63, and the second terminal 64.

[0069] The plurality of exposed portions 61 are exposed to the space that defines the recess 710 of the case 7. The plurality of exposed portions 61 are in contact with the plurality of supporting pieces 44 of the moving contact member 4, thus electrically connecting the conductive member 6 to the moving contact member 4. In addition, the conductive member 6 also supports the moving contact member 4 at the plurality of exposed portions 61.

[0070] In the following description, the plurality of (e.g., four) exposed portions 61 will be hereinafter referred to as "exposed portions 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d," respectively, to distinguish them from each other.

[0071] One of the two first connecting portions 62 connects the exposed portions 61a, 61b together. The other of the two first connecting portions 62 connects the exposed portions 61c, 61d together. The second connecting portion 63 connects the exposed portions 61a, 61c and the second terminal 64 together. The second terminal 64 protrudes from a side surface of the case 7. The second terminal 64 is provided opposite from the first terminal 54. The first terminal 54 and the second terminal 64 are mechanically coupled and electrically connected, by soldering, to a conductive member on a printed board, for example.

[0072] When the contact portion C1 is OFF, the fixed contact member 5 and the conductive member 6 are electrically insulated from each other, and therefore, the first terminal 54 and the second terminal 64 are electrically non-conductive with each other. On the other hand, when the contact portion C1 is ON, the fixed contact member 5 and the conductive member 6 are electrically connected to each other via the moving contact member 4, and therefore, the first terminal 54 and the second terminal 64 are electrically conductive with each other.(7) Case

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the case 7 includes a case body 71, a plurality of (e.g., four in this embodiment) pedestals 72, and a plurality of (e.g., four in this embodiment) projections 73. The case body 71, the plurality of pedestals 72, and the plurality of projections 73 are formed integrally with each other. The case 7 is made of synthetic resin.

[0074] The case body 71 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The recess 710 is provided through the upper surface of the case body 71. In top view, the recess 710 has a rectangular shape. Also, in top view, the pedestals 72 are respectively provided at the four corners of the recess 710. Each of the pedestals 72 protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the recess 710. Each of the pedestals 72 is provided with a corresponding one of the exposed portions 61. The case 7 houses the moving contact member 4 in the recess 710.

[0075] The supporting portion 32 of the push member 3 is mounted on a part, surrounding the recess 710, of the upper surface of the case body 71.

[0076] Two of the four projections 73 protrude from the front surface of the case body 71. The other two projections 73 protrude from the rear surface of the case body 71. Each of these projections 73 is arranged to hook a corresponding one of the first protruding pieces 22 of the cover 2 thereon.(6) Exemplary operation

[0077] Next, an exemplary operation of the push switch 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7.

[0078] As the operator performs a push operation on the pusher 31 of the push switch 1 with force equal to or greater than a certain level, downward operating force is applied to the pressure receiving portion 41 of the moving contact member 4 via the pusher 31. This causes the pressure receiving portion 41 to be pushed downward and thereby causes the moving contact member 4 to be deformed gradually. At a point in time when the magnitude of the operating force applied to the moving contact member 4 exceeds a predetermined level, the moving contact member 4 is flexed with momentum at the flexible portion 42 and deformed significantly as shown in FIG. 7. In other words, when the magnitude of the operating force applied to the moving contact member 4 exceeds the predetermined level, the moving contact member 4 is buckled at the flexible portion 42 as shown in FIG. 7. That is to say, the moving contact member 4 is deformed into the shape of a dome, of which a central part (pressure receiving portion 41) is curved to be convex down as shown in FIG. 7. This gives the operator of the push switch 1 a sense of clicking as the moving contact member 4 is deformed. In addition, having the moving contact member 4 deformed in this manner brings the moving contact portion 411 on the lower surface of the moving contact member 4 into contact with the fixed contact portion 51 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0079] On the other hand, when the operator cancels the push operation to remove the operating force that has been applied to the pressure receiving portion 41 with the moving contact member 4 deformed as described above, the moving contact member 4 recovers, by restitution, its original shape of the dome, of which the central part (i.e., the pressure receiving portion 41) is curved to be convex up. When the moving contact member 4 recovers its original shape in this manner, the moving contact portion 411 on the lower surface of the moving contact member 4 goes out of contact with the fixed contact portion 51 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0080] Also, while the pusher 31 subjected to the push operation is moving downward, the coupling portion 33 of the push member 3 is deformed elastically. Specifically, the coupling portion 33 is deformed to be partially convex down as shown in FIG. 7. Canceling the push operation allows the coupling portion 33 to recover, by restitution, its original shape and causes the pusher 31 to return to its home position (refer to FIG. 1).

[0081] The coupling portion 33 has the thin portion 331, and therefore, is highly likely to be deformed to be convex down at the point where the thin portion 331 is provided as shown in FIG. 7. That is to say, the coupling portion 33 is highly likely to be flexed at the thin portion 331. This reduces the chances of the coupling portion 33 being flexed at various points depending on the situation. That is to say, this reduces the chances of the push switch 1 operating with instability. For example, this may reduce the chances of the relationship between the magnitude of the force applied to the pusher 31 through the push operation and the stroke length of the pusher 31 collapsing.

[0082] Thus, in the push switch 1 according to this embodiment, the coupling portion 33 is highly likely to be flexed at the thin portion 331 even when the pusher 31 is pushed obliquely downward as shown in FIG. 8, instead of being pushed straight downward as shown in FIG. 7.

[0083] Also, if the coupling portion 33 is flexed at a certain point when the pusher 31 is subjected to the push operation for the first time since the push switch 1 was manufactured, then the coupling portion 33 may be flexed at the same point repeatedly when the pusher 31 is subjected to the push operation from the second time and on. This may be because once the pusher 31 has been flexed at a certain point, the pusher 31 tends to repeat the same flexing behavior from the next time and on. Thus, if the respective coupling portions 33 of a plurality of push switches 1 repeat such flexing behaviors at mutually different points, then those push switches 1 might exhibit mutually different characteristics. For example, in that case, the relationship between the magnitude of the force applied to the pusher 31 through the push operation and the stroke length of the pusher 31 would vary from one of the plurality of push switches 1 to another. That is to say, this would cause dispersion in quality between those push switches 1. In particular, if the pusher 31 is pushed obliquely when subjected to the push operation for the first time since the push switch 1 was manufactured, then the coupling portion 33 might be flexed at a different point from the originally intended point.

[0084] In contrast, in the push switch 1 according to this embodiment, the coupling portion 33 is highly likely to be flexed at the thin portion 331 when the pusher 31 is subjected to the push operation for the first time since the push switch 1 was manufactured. This reduces the chances of causing such dispersion in quality among a plurality of push switches 1.

[0085] The thin portion 331 is preferably provided at a point where the pusher 31 will be flexed when pushed straight downward in a situation where no thin portions 331 are provided for the coupling portion 33 (i.e., in a situation where the thickness T1 of the thin portion 331 is equal to the thickness T2, T3 of the adjacent portions 332, 333). This may make the characteristics of the push switch 1 closer to the characteristics that a similar product with no thin portions 331 will exhibit when used properly.

[0086] In addition, the coupling portion 33 preferably has only one thin portion 331. This makes it easier for the coupling portion 33 to be flexed at the same point. If the coupling portion 33 has a plurality of regions, of which the thickness is local minimum and which are arranged side by side along the circumference of the coupling portion 33, then a part, including those regions arranged side by side along the circumference, of the coupling portion 33 is defined as a single thin portion 331. The coupling portion 33 may have such regions having a local minimum thickness which are arranged side by side along the circumference of the coupling portion 33, for example, in a situation where at least one of the outside depression 3311 or the inside depression 3312 is provided with perforations along the circumference of the coupling portion 33.(Variations of exemplary embodiment)

[0087] Next, variations of the exemplary embodiment will be enumerated one after another. Note that the variations to be described below may be adopted in combination as appropriate.

[0088] The shapes described in the exemplary embodiment for the respective constituent elements are only examples and may be changed as appropriate. For example, the coupling portion 33 does not have to have the circular cylindrical shape but may also have a square tubular shape, for example. The first part 311 of the pusher 31 does not have to have the truncated cone shape but may also have, for example, a truncated pyramidal shape, a circular columnar shape, or a prismatic columnar shape. The second part 312 of the pusher 31 does not have to have the truncated cone shape but may also have, for example, a truncated pyramidal shape, a circular columnar shape, or a prismatic columnar shape.

[0089] In the exemplary embodiment described above, the coupling portion 33 protrudes diagonally outward and downward from the pusher 31. Alternatively, the coupling portion 33 may also protrude outward from the pusher 31 on a plane perpendicular to the upward / downward direction, for example.

[0090] The thin portion 331 may be provided with, for example, only one of the outside depression 3311 or the inside depression 3312.

[0091] The outside depression 3311 does not have to cover the entire circumference of the coupling portion 33. That is to say, the outside depression 3311 may be provided for only a part of the dotted region shown in FIG. 5. For example, the outside depression 3311 may be discontinued at multiple points. Alternatively, the outside depression 3311 may be provided to have perforations along the circumference of the coupling portion 33.

[0092] The inside depression 3312 does not have to cover the entire circumference of the coupling portion 33. That is to say, the inside depression 3312 may be provided for only a part of the dotted region shown in FIG. 6. For example, the inside depression 3312 may be discontinued at multiple points. Alternatively, the inside depression 3312 may be provided to have perforations along the circumference of the coupling portion 33.

[0093] At least one of the outside depression 3311 or the inside depression 3312 does not have to be smoothly connected to the surface of the adjacent portion 332 as in the exemplary embodiment described above. For example, at least one of the outside depression 3311 or the inside depression 3312 may have a side surface and a bottom surface and the side surface may be bent with respect to the surface of the adjacent portion 332 to define a predetermined angle with respect to the surface. Alternatively, at least one of the outside depression 3311 or the inside depression 3312 may also be formed to have a wedge-shaped cross section.

[0094] Likewise, at least one of the outside depression 3311 or the inside depression 3312 does not have to be smoothly connected to the surface of the adjacent portion 333 as in the exemplary embodiment described above.

[0095] The pusher 31, supporting portion 32, coupling portion 33, and extended portion 34 of the push member 3 do not have to be formed integrally with each other. Alternatively, the push member 3 may also be made up of a plurality of members by, for example, combining the plurality of members together.

[0096] Also, the extended portion 34 is not an essential constituent element for the push member 3.

[0097] The stroke length of the push switch 1 may be set as appropriate. For example, the push switch 1 may be a short stroke type with a relatively short stroke length, a long stroke type with a relatively long stroke length, or a medium stroke type having an intermediate length between the short stroke type and the long stroke type.

[0098] The push switch 1 does not have to be used in an operating member of a device to be operated by a human operator but may also be used to detect the position of the device, for example. In that case, when the device moves to a predetermined position, the pusher 31 of the push switch 1 installed at the predetermined position is pushed to output a signal from the push switch 1.

[0099] The conductive member 6 may be in contact with the moving contact member 4 at a point other than the plurality of supporting pieces 44 of the moving contact member 4.(Recapitulation)

[0100] The exemplary embodiment and its variations described above are specific implementations of the following aspects of the present disclosure.

[0101] A push switch (1) according to a first aspect includes a case (7), a fixed contact member (5), a moving contact member (4), and a push member (3). The case (7) has a recess (710), of which the upside is open. The fixed contact member (5) has a fixed contact portion (51) provided at a bottom surface of the recess (710). The moving contact member (4) has a moving contact portion (411) facing the fixed contact portion (51). The moving contact member (4) is disposed over the fixed contact member (5). The push member (3) includes a pusher (31), a supporting portion (32), and a coupling portion (33). The pusher (31) is disposed over the moving contact member (4). The pusher (31) pushes, when subjected to a push operation, the moving contact member (4) toward the fixed contact member (5). The supporting portion (32) is supported by the case (7). The coupling portion (33) is disposed between the pusher (31) and the supporting portion (32) to couple the pusher (31) and the supporting portion (32) to each other. The coupling portion (33) has a shape of a cylinder surrounding the pusher (31). The coupling portion (33) is elastically deformed when the pusher (31) is subjected to the push operation. The coupling portion (33) has a thin portion (331) and an adjacent portion (332, 333) adjacent to the thin portion (331). The thin portion (331) is arranged to surround the pusher (31) when the push switch (1) is viewed from over and / or under the push switch (1). The thickness (T1) of the thin portion (331) is less than the thickness (T2, T3) of the adjacent portion (332, 333).

[0102] According to this configuration, the thickness (T1) of the thin portion (331) is less than the thickness (T2, T3) of the adjacent portion (332, 333). Thus, when the pusher (31) is subjected to a push operation, the coupling portion (33) is likely to be flexed at the thin portion (331). This makes it easier for the coupling portion (33) to be flexed at the thin portion (331) not only when the pusher (31) is pushed straight downward but also when the pusher (31) is pushed obliquely downward. As can be seen, in this push switch (1), the flexed part of the coupling portion (33) tends to be limited to the thin portion (331), thus reducing the chances of the push switch (1) operating with instability. For example, this may reduce the chances of a relationship between the magnitude of the force applied through the push operation and the stroke length collapsing.

[0103] In a push switch (1) according to a second aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the first aspect, the coupling portion (33) has an outside depression (3311) on an outer surface of the thin portion (331). The outside depression (3311) is depressed with respect to the adjacent portion (332, 333).

[0104] This configuration may reduce the chances of the push switch (1) operating with instability.

[0105] In a push switch (1) according to a third aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the second aspect, the outside depression (3311) is provided along the entire circumference of the coupling portion (33).

[0106] This configuration makes the coupling portion (33) flexible more smoothly at the thin portion (331) than in a situation where the outside depression (3311) is provided over a range (e.g., along a half of the circumference) narrower than the entire circumference of the coupling portion (33).

[0107] In a push switch (1) according to a fourth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the second or third aspect, the depth of the outside depression (3311) is equal to or greater than 5% and equal to or less than 20% of the thickness (T2, T3) of the adjacent portion (332, 333).

[0108] This configuration makes the coupling portion (33) flexible more smoothly at the thin portion (331) than in a situation where the depth of the outside depression (3311) is less than 5% of the thickness (T2, T3) of the adjacent portion (332, 333). In addition, this configuration may also increase the mechanical strength of the coupling portion (33) compared to a situation where the depth of the outside depression (3311) is greater than 20% of the thickness (T2, T3) of the adjacent portion (332, 333).

[0109] In a push switch (1) according to a fifth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with any one of the first to fourth aspects, the coupling portion (33) has an inside depression (3312) on an inner surface of the thin portion (331). The inside depression (3312) is depressed with respect to the adjacent portion (332, 333).

[0110] This configuration may reduce the chances of the push switch (1) operating with instability.

[0111] In a push switch (1) according to a sixth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the fifth aspect, the inside depression (3312) is provided along an entire circumference of the coupling portion (33).

[0112] This configuration makes the coupling portion (33) flexible more smoothly at the thin portion (331) than in a situation where the inside depression (3312) is provided over a range (e.g., along a half of the circumference) narrower than the entire circumference of the coupling portion (33).

[0113] In a push switch (1) according to a seventh aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the fifth or sixth aspect, the depth of the inside depression (3312) is equal to or greater than 5% and equal to or less than 20% of the thickness (T2. T3) of the adjacent portion (332, 333).

[0114] This configuration makes the coupling portion (33) flexible more smoothly at the thin portion (331) than in a situation where the depth of the inside depression (3312) is less than 5% of the thickness (T2, T3) of the adjacent portion (332, 333). In addition, this configuration may also increase the mechanical strength of the coupling portion (33) compared to a situation where the depth of the inside depression (3312) is greater than 20% of the thickness (T2, T3) of the adjacent portion (332, 333).

[0115] In a push switch (1) according to an eighth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with any one of the first to seventh aspects, when the push switch (1) is viewed from over and / or under the push switch (1), the shape of a region provided with the thin portion (331) conforms with the shape of an outer edge of the pusher (31).

[0116] This configuration allows the force, applied to the pusher (31) through a push operation, to be transmitted to the thin portion (331) more evenly.

[0117] Note that the constituent elements according to the second to eighth aspects are not essential constituent elements for the push switch (1) but may be omitted as appropriate.Reference Signs List

[0118] 1Push Switch 3Push member 4Moving Contact Member 5Fixed Contact Member 7Case 31Pusher 32Supporting Portion 33Coupling Portion 51Fixed Contact Portion 331Thin Portion 332, 333Adjacent Portion 411Moving Contact Portion 710Recess 3311Outside Depression 3312Inside Depression T1, T2, T3Thickness

Claims

1. A push switch comprising: a case having a recess, upside of the recess being open; a fixed contact member having a fixed contact portion provided at a bottom surface of the recess; a moving contact member having a moving contact portion and disposed over the fixed contact member, the moving contact portion facing the fixed contact portion; and a push member, the push member including: a pusher disposed over the moving contact member and configured to push, when subjected to a push operation, the moving contact member toward the fixed contact member; a supporting portion supported by the case; and a coupling portion disposed between the pusher and the supporting portion to couple the pusher and the supporting portion to each other, the coupling portion having a shape of a cylinder surrounding the pusher, the coupling portion being elastically deformed when the pusher is subjected to the push operation, the coupling portion having: a thin portion arranged to surround the pusher when the push switch is viewed from over and / or under the push switch; and an adjacent portion adjacent to the thin portion, and thickness of the thin portion being less than thickness of the adjacent portion.

2. The push switch of claim 1, wherein the coupling portion has an outside depression on an outer surface of the thin portion, the outside depression being depressed with respect to the adjacent portion.

3. The push switch of claim 2, wherein the outside depression is provided along an entire circumference of the coupling portion.

4. The push switch of claim 2 or 3, wherein depth of the outside depression is equal to or greater than 5% and equal to or less than 20% of the thickness of the adjacent portion.

5. The push switch of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coupling portion has an inside depression on an inner surface of the thin portion, the inside depression being depressed with respect to the adjacent portion.

6. The push switch of claim 5, wherein the inside depression is provided along an entire circumference of the coupling portion.

7. The push switch of claim 5 or 6, wherein depth of the inside depression is equal to or greater than 5% and equal to or less than 20% of the thickness of the adjacent portion.

8. The push switch of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the push switch is viewed from over and / or under the push switch, a shape of a region provided with the thin portion conforms with a shape of an outer edge of the pusher.

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